U.S. Says It is Not Now Considering Bases in Israel or in Egypt

The State Department said today that the U.S. is not now considering establishing or using military bases in Israel or Egypt. The question was raised in connection with yesterday’s disclosure that American aircraft are engaged in joint “training” exercises with the Egyptian Air Force at a base near Cairo.

The Department’s chief spokesman, Hodding Carter, emphasized that it is “clear that the United States is seeking a peaceful solution for the crisis with Iran” and that “this training exercise should not be seen as marking any change in that policy.” Asked about the possible U.S. use of bases under Israeli control, he said “I cannot predict what we may want to do under every set of circumstances. I repeat, we have no plans now for such use.”

With respect to Egyptian and Israeli offers of the use of their facilities by American forces, Carter said “such offers are not under consideration now. We are not discussing establishing bases in Israel or Egypt. As to the possible use of facilities in Egypt, we noted yesterday that we are engaged in a training exercise there and more of these exercises may take place. Such use of facilities is obviously different from their permanent use or the establishment of a permanent base.

The spokesman’s response appeared to refer to President Anwar Sadat’s position that the U.S. may use Egyptian facilities but not bases on Egyptian soil. He pointed out that President Carter has noted that the U.S. still has under consideration, expanded use of facilities for U.S. forces elsewhere in the Middle East, but did not elaborate on that point. It is understood that Somalia may be one of the places under consideration.